A PC who had part of his ear bitten off while apprehending a domestic violence suspect has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025.

Shortly after midnight on December 8, 2024, PC James Marsden from North Wales Police and a colleague were responding to a report of a domestic assault in Llangefni. When PC Marsden attempted to arrest the male suspect, he resisted.

During the struggle, the offender pinned PC Marsden down and bit a piece of his ear off. Another officer had to use force to pull the offender away from PC Marsden before subduing him and placing him in handcuffs.

Unaware of his injury, PC Marsden wanted to assist his colleagues in taking the male to custody. His colleagues then made him aware of the injury.

PC Marsden was taken to the hospital, where he was told the cartilage of his ear had suffered such damage that his ear would be permanently disfigured. He was told he would need to take three to four weeks off work.

His pregnant partner was distressed by the injury, and PC Marsden felt he had let his colleagues down as they would be without him over the busy Christmas period in a rural setting with a small number of officers working.

The offender appeared before court on January 14, 2025, and was jailed for three years and four months for the incident.

PC Marsden will have to live with the permanent scars of this callous assault, caused while serving and protecting the public.

North Wales Police Federation Secretary Lewis Davies said: "The injury inflicted on PC James Marsden serves as a reminder of the dangers our officers face when they respond to calls to protect the public.

“PC Marsden showed courage and bravery to continue to subdue the offender despite his horrific injury. He will now have to live with the physical and unseen effects of the disgusting assault against him and the impact it has had on those closest to him. It's right he is recognised."

North Wales Police Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “This was a shocking attack which left PC Marsden permanently scarred. The fact that he was able to carry on during the shift and was more concerned about not being able to be on duty over a busy period is testament to his dedication and commitment to the communities that he serves and the colleagues he works alongside. He is a credit to North Wales Police.

“Assaults on officers who are simply doing their job by protecting those at risk is completely unacceptable. I am pleased that the seriousness of this case was reflected in the sentencing.”